Kelly Arnold is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Her research integrates systems engineering principles with immunology to investigate variability in immune responses across infection, vaccination, and injury, with a focus on computational modeling and clinical translation. Research Focus Systems-level immune response modeling Vaccination and antibody functionality Vaginal microbiome-host interactions Chronic lung disease progression Computational serology and proteomics Recent Work Her 2025 studies examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses in cancer patients and computational frameworks for vaginal probiotics. Earlier works (2024-2007) span COPD progression, lupus fibrosis, HIV susceptibility, and tissue engineering for fertility preservation. Methodologies include proteomic profiling, network modeling, and microfluidic systems.
Daiwei (David) Zhang, PhD, is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Genetics. His research focuses on developing AI frameworks for analyzing high-dimensional biomedical data, particularly in spatial omics, computational pathology, and medical imaging. Education: MS (Biostatistics) and PhD (Biostatistics and Scientific Computing) from the University of Michigan. Postdoctoral Training: University of Pennsylvania. Research interests include applying machine learning to address biomedical challenges such as tumor heterogeneity, immune interactions, and tissue architecture. His work spans computational methods for spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and histology integration. Recent publications emphasize spatial multi-omics analysis of cancer ecosystems, tertiary lymphoid structures, and metabolic coordination. These studies leverage advanced machine learning algorithms and interdisciplinary approaches to advance precision medicine. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his work reflects significant contributions to biomedical AI research. Grants and advising details are not provided in the text.
Professor Hala Zreiqat AM is a leading biomedical engineer at The University of Sydney , serving as the Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering . A Fellow of all major Australian academies (AAS, ATSE, FAHMS, FRSN), she develops 3D printed bioceramics for bone regeneration while championing diversity through initiatives like the IDEAL Society and BIOTech Futures mentorship program. Her work bridges academia, clinical practice, and industry in musculoskeletal research . Research Focus: Her lab creates synthetic bone scaffolds that mimic natural bone architecture, strength, and porosity, enabling non-rejected bone regeneration via patient-matched implants. Key applications include orthopaedic, dental, and maxillofacial repair , with over $18M in competitive funding and multiple patents. Current projects explore AI-driven scaffold performance prediction and anti-senescence strategies for aging-related bone loss. Scientific Trends: Recent publications highlight 3D printed nanovoxelated ceramics , antisenescence biomaterials , and multifunctional theranostic platforms . Her team integrates machine learning for scaffold design, atom probe tomography for interface analysis, and two-photon imaging for cellular monitoring in 3D environments. 2021-2022 Fulbright Senior Scholar 2018 NSW Premier's Woman of the Year 2019 Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology Fellow of Australian Academy of Science (2021) Over $18M in research funding Teaching & Leadership: She designed core courses like Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials in Medicine , mentoring 158 students in 2020 alone. As Chair of CAAR (2020-2023), she strengthens Australia-Arab collaborations. Her lab trains early-career researchers , with alumni now in academia and industry.
Foteini Mourkioti is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine , with a joint appointment in the Graduate Groups of Cell and Molecular Biology and Bioengineering . She co-directs the Musculoskeletal Regeneration Program at the Penn Institute of Regenerative Medicine and leads the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory . Research Interests : Muscle Stem Cell Biology Mechanobiology Muscle Regeneration Telomere Biology in Muscular Diseases Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Cardiomyopathy and Aging Key Research Contributions : Developed the Pax7EGFP mouse model for real-time muscle stem cell tracking Discovered telomere shortening as a critical factor in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Elucidated the role of NF-κB in muscle stem cell dysfunction Identified Piezo1's role in stem cell morphological states Characterized fibro-adipogenic progenitor dynamics in FOP Scientific Awards : NIH/NHLBI R01 grant recipient (2019) NASA grant awardee (2020, 2017) American Heart Association grant (2017) Muscular Dystrophy Association grant (2019) University Research Foundation grant (2018) Publications & Collaborations : Over 25 publications in high-impact journals like Science Advances , Nature Protocols , and Cell Reports . Collaborates with Penn Cardiovascular Institute and Pennsylvania Muscle Institute.
Bérénice Benayoun, PhD is an Associate Professor at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology , with secondary appointments in the Department of Molecular and Computational Biology (USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences) and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center . Her research bridges aging biology , epigenetics , and sex differences using vertebrate models like the African turquoise killifish and machine learning . Education : École Normale Supérieure (BSc, MSc), Paris Diderot-Paris 7 University (PhD in Genetics and Cell Biology) Her lab investigates epigenome and transcriptome remodeling during aging , focusing on how biological sex influences these processes. Key themes include inflamm-aging , genomic instability , and immune senescence , with applications in neurodegeneration and reproductive longevity . Recent publications highlight sex-dimorphic gene regulation in neutrophils , macrophages , and brain aging , alongside novel insights into transposable elements and MOTS-c mitochondrial signaling . She pioneers the use of single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics in aging research. Scientific awards include: 2024 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research Award 2023 AGHE Rising Star Early Career Faculty Award 2023 USC Mentoring Award 2023 Rising Star in Reproductive Biology 2021 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award 2019 Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award Her editorial roles include Geroscience , Translational Medicine of Aging , and eLife . She mentors students across PhD programs in Biology of Aging , Neuroscience , and Molecular Medicine , as well as Master's and undergraduate trainees.
Jude M. Phillip, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. His research integrates engineering principles with aging and cancer biology to develop cell-based biomarkers and mechanistic insights into age-related diseases. He leads the Phillip tiME Lab, which focuses on aging dynamics, tumor microenvironment interactions, and translational technologies. Education : PhD, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2015 Postdoctoral Research, Melnick/Cerchietti Labs, Weill Cornell Medicine, 2016-2020 B.Eng, Chemical Engineering, City College of New York, 2010 Research Interests : Dr. Phillip’s work spans aging mechanisms, cancer biology, and mechanobiology. Key areas include: Cell-based biomarkers for aging and disease Scale-dependent aging pathways Lymphoma tumor-immune microenvironment (tiME) Single-cell profiling of senescence subtypes ECM mechanoregulation of stem cell fate His lab employs longitudinal cell profiling, data science, and clinical measures to bridge biological aging research with translational medicine. Recent Highlights : 2025: NIH R35 MIRA Award for lymphoma microenvironment research 2024: Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award for aging biomarker studies 2023: AFAR-Glenn Foundation Award for senescence subtype classification Lab & Collaborations : The Phillip Lab collaborates with the Institute for NanoBioTechnology and maintains a living patient-derived tumor biorepository for lymphoma studies. Current projects include ovarian aging organoid models and immune-mechanical interactions in cancer progression.
Xin Lu is the John M. and Mary Jo Boler Collegiate Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. She is a full member of the Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI), the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases (CRND), and the Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program at the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research spans tumor immunology, immunotherapy, metastasis, and multi-omics, with a focus on prostate, breast, and rare cancers. Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Princeton University (2004–2010) B.S. in Biological Sciences, Tsinghua University, China (2000–2004) Postdoctoral Fellow, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (2010–2016) Assistant to Associate Professor, University of Notre Dame (2017–Present) Dr. Lu's research investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of tumor-immune crosstalk, particularly the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and neutrophils in promoting immunotherapy resistance. Her lab uses genetically engineered mouse models, functional genomics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and high-throughput screening to uncover novel therapeutic targets. A major focus is on how cancer-cell-intrinsic oncogenic signaling shapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Her recent publications reveal mechanisms such as Acod1-mediated ferroptosis resistance in neutrophils, Pygo2-driven immunosuppression in prostate cancer, and the efficacy of ketogenic diets in overcoming checkpoint blockade resistance. These studies span multiple disciplines including cancer biology, immunology, metabolism, epigenetics, and bioengineering, reflecting a highly integrative approach to immuno-oncology. Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellow John M. and Mary Jo Boler Faculty Appointment Cluster Chair, Cellular & Molecular Biology, IBMS PhD Program Junior Chair, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases Dr. Lu mentors a diverse team of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduates. Her lab is actively recruiting and has secured funding from federal agencies and private foundations. She collaborates with chemists, bioengineers, and bioinformaticians to develop novel therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugates, CAR-NK cells, and small-molecule inhibitors. Her lab also develops innovative platforms like mini-tumor chips for immunotherapy evaluation. Her lab maintains affiliations with multiple interdisciplinary centers including the Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery, Eck Institute for Global Health, and Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health, underscoring her collaborative and translational research vision.
Professor Martin Peifer is a computational cancer genomics researcher at the University of Cologne, where he leads the Department of Translational Genomics. He serves as Principal Investigator of the Peifer Lab, which focuses on developing computational methods to analyze cancer genome sequencing data. His work is deeply integrated with the Center for Data and Simulation Science and he is an active member of the International Cancer Genome Consortium and the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes project. Peifer's research interests center on computational approaches to understanding cancer biology, with particular emphasis on tumor evolution and genome instability mechanisms. His lab develops methods to analyze somatic genome alterations including point mutations, copy number changes, and rearrangements. They also create computational tools for integrative genome analyses, tumor evolution reconstruction, and single-cell sequencing data analysis (both RNA and DNA). His interdisciplinary team applies high-performance computing and machine learning to interpret complex cancer sequencing data, aiming to better understand tumorigenesis, clonal evolution, and therapy resistance. Analysis of Peifer's extensive publication record reveals a strong focus on neuroblastoma and lung cancer genomics, with particular attention to tumor evolution patterns and genomic instability mechanisms. His work spans multiple cancer types but maintains consistent themes of computational methodology development and application to understand cancer progression and treatment resistance. The publications demonstrate increasing sophistication in analyzing intra-tumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics over time. Peifer leads an active research group including postdoctoral fellows (Joel Kaufmann, Dr. Stephanie Pabel, Agnieszka Rumińska) and PhD students (Magdalena Seiffert, Justinas Valiulis). His lab is involved in the Collaborative Research Center 1399 focused on Mechanisms of Drug Sensitivity and Resistance in Small Cell Lung Cancer, indicating significant grant funding and collaborative research efforts. The Peifer Lab operates at the intersection of computational biology and cancer research, maintaining an interdisciplinary approach that combines bioinformatics, machine learning, and high-performance computing to address complex questions in cancer genomics. Their work has significant implications for understanding cancer evolution and developing more effective treatment strategies.
Dr. Kibret Mequanint is a full Professor at Western University's Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, with cross-appointments in Biomedical Engineering. Holding a PhD from University of Stellenbosch and postdoctoral experience at Technical University of Darmstadt and McMaster University, his research bridges polymer science, materials engineering, and life sciences with applications in Biomaterials , Tissue Engineering , and Regenerative Medicine . His work spans both fundamental and translational research in cell-material interactions , polymer biomaterial design , and therapeutic radiation dosimeters , with technologies transferred to commercial applications. Leading scholar and educator with awards from NSERC, CIHR, and Western University Fellow of: American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Canadian Academy of Engineering Extensive editorial and panel service for NSERC, CIHR, and international journals His research program has produced over 170 refereed publications, focusing on conductive hydrogels , bioadhesives , and vascular tissue engineering . Recent work on endoscopy-deliverable bioadhesives and snake venom-derived hemostatic gels has attracted global media attention. He has served in leadership roles at the Canadian Biomaterials Society and university governance bodies including Senate and Board of Governors.
Naim U. Rashid, PhD, is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Biostatistics at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and holds a joint appointment as Research Associate Professor at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. He serves as Associate Director of the Lineberger Biostatistics Shared Resource and co-directs the Biostatistics Cores of the UNC Pancreatic and Breast Cancer SPOREs. His work bridges statistical methodology development with collaborative cancer research, focusing on translating genomic discoveries into clinical applications. Dr. Rashid's research spans precision medicine, genomics, statistical computing, and machine learning with specific applications to pancreatic and breast cancers. His lab develops novel statistical methods for high-throughput genomic data analysis, cancer subtyping, missing data problems in deep learning, and clinical trial design. Recent work includes developing an AI tool that recommends optimal clinical trials to pancreatic cancer patients, funded by a $311,000 Department of Defense grant in 2024. His methodological contributions focus on improving replicability in gene signature selection and clinical prediction, with emphasis on addressing racial disparities in cancer outcomes. His publication record shows consistent output in top statistical and medical journals, with recent work focusing on high-dimensional statistics, missing data methods, and cancer genomics. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory from methodological innovation to clinical implementation, particularly in pancreatic cancer where his PurIST classifier has gained recognition. The work increasingly incorporates machine learning approaches while maintaining strong statistical foundations. Delta Omega Faculty Award (2021, UNC Chapel Hill) IBM and R.J. Reynolds Junior Faculty Development Award (2017, UNC Chapel Hill) Barry H. Margolin Dissertation Award (2013, UNC Chapel Hill) Training Grant recipient (2006-2011, Genomics and Cancer) Dr. Rashid actively mentors graduate students and serves as trial statistician on multiple cancer clinical trials. He teaches BIOS 735, a doctoral-level course on statistical computing, and is involved with the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium Statistical Working Group. His lab collaborates extensively with clinicians at UNC Lineberger and beyond, with recent work including the PROCLAIM Study examining mHealth apps to improve diverse recruitment in pancreatic cancer trials. The Rashid Lab focuses on developing computational tools that directly impact clinical decision-making while addressing methodological challenges in genomic data analysis.
Prof. Lars Mägdefessel is a Professor of Vascular Biology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Molecular Vascular Biology group within the TUM School of Medicine and Health. His research focuses on non-coding RNAs in vascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms, using translational approaches for molecular treatment discovery. He holds an MD from Johannes Gutenberg University (Mainz, Germany), completed cardiology clinical training, and postdoctoral research at Stanford University before joining TUM in 2016. Education: MD from Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz Postdoctoral training at Stanford University, USA Assistant Professor at Karolinska Institute, Sweden Research Interests: Non-coding RNA regulation in vascular pathology Mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability Translational therapies for vascular diseases Advanced aortic aneurysm progression Awards include the ERC Consolidator Grant (2023), Russell Ross Award (2023), and Heisenberg Professorship (2016). His lab is supported by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).
Dr. Janin Chandra is a Senior Research Fellow at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, leading her own lab since 2023. Her research focuses on immune regulation in HPV-driven cancers, antigen-presenting cells, and squamous cell carcinomas. She holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Zurich and has extensive postdoctoral experience at UQ and biotech companies like Admedus Vaccines. She has published over 35 journal articles, contributed to clinical trials, and received the Garnett Passe Mid-Career Fellowship (2023–2027). Education: Master of Science (Goethe University, Frankfurt), PhD (University of Zurich). Research highlights include developing HPV vaccines, studying immune suppression mechanisms, and investigating Langerhans cell dysfunction in tumors. Her work bridges immunology and oncology, targeting therapies to modulate antigen-presenting cells. Research Interests : HPV-induced immune evasion mechanisms Antigen-presenting cell biology in cancer Clinical development of DNA vaccines Immune microenvironment of head/neck and cutaneous cancers Grants & Awards : Current funding includes targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (Garnett Passe Fellowship). Past grants involve microbiome analysis and vaccine development. Lab Activities : Her lab investigates intra-tumor immune regulations and develops novel immunotherapies. Collaborations span veterinary oncology and microbiome research.
Sophie Lanone is a researcher and team leader of the Genetic-environment Interactions in COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, and Respiratory Pathologies (GEIC2O) team at the Mondor Institute of Biomedical Research (IMRB), affiliated with Université Paris-Est Créteil. Her work focuses on understanding the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in respiratory diseases, particularly COPD, cystic fibrosis, and surfactant-related pathologies. She leads a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists investigating molecular mechanisms, inflammation resolution, and environmental impacts on pulmonary health. Key research themes include the molecular basis of cigarette smoke-induced COPD, genetic and cellular aspects of cystic fibrosis, and the role of specialized pro-resolving mediators in disease. Funding sources include EU programs (e.g., H2020 REMEDIA), ANR, and patient associations like Vaincre la Mucoviscidose. Recent advances include identifying lipid mediator defects in CF patients and demonstrating resolvin E1’s efficacy in correcting ciliary dysfunction. Team members have received awards, such as Khadeeja Adam Sy’s 2024 prize for active participation in CF research. Collaborations span in vitro/ex vivo models, patient cohort studies, and translational approaches toward personalized therapies. The team also explores environmental exposures (e.g., asbestos, nanoparticles) and their long-term respiratory health impacts.
Dimitrios (Dimitris) Anastasiou is a Senior Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London, UK, specializing in cancer metabolism research. Previously, he served as a Group Leader at the Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) starting in 2012 before transitioning to the Crick Institute in 2015. His research career includes postdoctoral work and an Instructor position at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School under Lewis Cantley, where he focused on metabolic reprogramming in cancer. University College London, UK - BSc Molecular Biology (2001) University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland - PhD in Biochemistry (2006) Anastasiou's research centers on understanding how cancer cells generate energy and utilize nutrients differently from normal cells. His laboratory conducts detailed analyses of metabolic pathways in cancer, investigating how tumor cells rewire their metabolism to support rapid growth and evade the body's defenses. His work spans biochemistry, proteomics, computational systems biology, human physiology, and tumor biology, with particular emphasis on identifying metabolic vulnerabilities that could be targeted for cancer therapy. His innovative approaches include developing chemical 'sensors' to monitor metabolic changes in cancer cells over time as tumors develop. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on metabolic regulation in cancer, particularly regarding glycolysis, hypoxia response, amino acid metabolism, and nucleotide biosynthesis. His work frequently examines enzyme regulation (particularly PKM2), metabolic adaptation to environmental stressors, and the intersection between metabolism and signaling pathways. A notable trend is his exploration of how metabolic enzymes function beyond their traditional roles, influencing cellular signaling and gene expression in cancer contexts. Anastasiou has made significant contributions to understanding metabolic reprogramming in cancer, particularly regarding pyruvate kinase M2 regulation, hypoxia responses, and nutrient utilization in tumor microenvironments. His work bridges basic biochemical mechanisms with potential therapeutic applications, focusing on identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells that could be exploited for treatment. As a Senior Group Leader at the Crick Institute, Anastasiou leads a research group investigating how metabolism contributes to disease, particularly cancer. His laboratory utilizes a range of techniques including metabolomics, bioinformatics, structural biology, and high-throughput screening to study metabolic pathways. The group's work aims to identify fundamental differences between metabolic pathways in tumors and healthy tissue to discover new therapeutic targets against cancer.
Sophia Lunt is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Chemical Engineering & Materials Science at Michigan State University , where she has been since 2015 (Assistant Professor 2015-2021, Associate Professor 2021-2025, Professor 2025-present). She leads the Lunt Lab , focusing on cancer metabolism , particularly metabolic reprogramming in tumor proliferation, heterogeneity, and metastasis . Her work combines mass spectrometry , genetic cancer models , cell biology , and fluorescent agents to develop targeted cancer therapies . Ph.D. (2010) & B.S. (2005) in Chemistry Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT (2010-2015) NSF CAREER awardee (2019) 20+ peer-reviewed publications since 2007 Research Focus : Cancer metabolism (Warburg effect, PHGDH heterogeneity, TIGAR regulation) Photodynamic therapy (counterion-tuned agents, metal halide nanoclusters) Metabolomics (tumor-immune interactions, microbiome effects) Selected Scientific Awards : 2022 MSU College of Natural Science Teacher-Scholar Award 2022 MSU BMB Teaching Award 2020 MANA Young Investigator Award 2019 NSF CAREER & METAvivor Early Career Investigator Awards Her teaching includes BMB 101: Frontiers in Biochemistry (curriculum overhaul for freshman success) and BMB 461: Advanced Biochemistry I , covering metabolic regulation and pathways.
